Entries by Miller Gaffney

Southern antique stoneware is highly
sought after and prized by collectors. There are many different features that collectors
look for, such as the maker, the region, as well as certain pieces such as jugs,
bowls, pitchers or face jugs.

Catawba Valley pottery, made in the
Catawba River Valley of Western North Carolina, is a seminal place for Southern
pottery. German immigrants and German-American descendants settled in the Catawba
Valley in the late 18th century as farmers, and they brought their pottery-making
tradition with them. Face jugs are some of the most unique and popular pieces
of southern pottery, and their history extends back to slaves who made such
pottery in the Edgefield region of South Carolina.

Burlon B. Craig of Vale, North
Carolina, was one of the last of the North Carolina potters to work in alkaline
glaze. The advent of refrigeration and mass production nearly ended the
centuries-old pottery tradition. Craig is credited with revitalizing Catawba
Valley pottery.

Detecting
faux from authentic French antiques can be quite challenging, as there are many
beautiful reproductions on the marketplace.

Antiques
frequently have been repaired or have parts replaced, and so will not have the
perfection found in new factory furniture. When you find an authentic piece
that you j’adore, you can overlook the defects — provided that the antique is
authentic to the period and an outstanding example. Here's advice to help you in your search:

The presence of nails and screws in
antique French furniture should arouse suspicion, as none were used in the
construction of the period. Furniture at that time was doweled and edges
dovetailed. Nails or screws might indicate that a piece has been repaired.

Examine pieces from every angle as
well as the insides, backs, and upside down.
Antiques have a sense of smoothness that cannot be reproduced.

For those who want to take their flea market shopping to the next level, there are some tools that every shopper should keep at hand. Having them quickly accessible allows for easy inspection. Here's my must-have toolkit for successful shopping:

Simichrome Cream: This is one of the tests you can use to detect real Bakelite from faux when buying costume jewelry. It turns from pink to yellow when applied to real Bakelite – except Simichrome will not work on black or lacquered Bakelite.

Jewelers Loupe (10x): A good jewelers loupe can help you see the chips and flaws in stones and the minor details needed to determine price. Sometimes better light sources are needed when using higher magnification. Loupes will also help you find maker marks and precious metal markings.

As an avid horseback
rider ever since I was a young girl, I grew up in an equestrian world in which
a unique sense of style permeated my every day life. Even before Ralph Lauren’s
polo-inspired line of fashion and home furnishings, this equestrian style was
centuries in the making, characterized by a classic and simple approach to
fashion appropriate for country or city life. I am drawn to the familiar country dress codes of jeans, plaid, leather,
corduroy, quilted jackets, and riding boots that are signature components of
this equestrian style.

Whether an English or western rider, all riders like a
playful plaid shirt. Riding vests and jackets
or traditional blazers always look chic and preppy and are easy to layer over
tees, turtlenecks, and cardigans.

When did you know that you wanted
to pursue a career in the antiques and art world?

I was born to
appraise — I love history, and at a young age I was always examining objects in
the attic looking for treasures from the past. I would play dress up in my
grandmother’s vintage clothing and costume jewelry, and I managed to purchase
and buy objects and build collections at a young age. Some of my
collections included dolls, costume jewelry, hats, boxes, seashells, paperweights,
and silk fans.